Apparatus for lifting fluids



April 8, 1947. J. D. NlxoN APPARATUS FOR LIFTING FLUIDS Filed June :50,1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 l, Y. IIIIIIII d a 1V ,Je

TTRJVEYS J. D. NIXON APPARATUS FOR LIFTING FLUIDS Aprile, 1947.

2 t e m w S t e e h s 2 Filed June y D; M011 Jedd PatentedApr. 8, 1947lmso rA'r-ss ,-ArsNr OFFICE APPARATUS FOR LIFTIN G FLUIDS.

J eddy D. Nixon, New Braunfels, Tex. Application June 30, 1945, SerialNo. 602,561

` 15 ClaiInS. .(Cl. 103234) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in apparatuses for lifting fluids. Y

The invention has more particularly to do with an improved apparatus forlifting liquids in wells, especially water wells.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatusemploying compressed air as a lifting medium; and being entirelyautomatic in its operation as well as making for high efficiency ofproduction and low cost of both operation and maintenance.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved liquidlifting apparatus employing a suitable compressed air supply connectedwith the well eduction tubing through a separate line, in which anautomatic control valve is connected and which valve, also hasconnection with the well discharge conductor; whereby compressed airunder a predetermined lifting pressure, is automatically andperiodically, supplied to the eduction tubing in suicient quantity to`rapidly lift a predetermined head of liquid and which supply ofcompressed air is automatically shut off by the back pressureof thedischarged liquid, when the latter is applied thereto, thus permittingthe source of compressed air supply to rebuild the pressure to `supplythe next lifting period.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved liquidlifting apparatus employing an eduction tubing and an air supply lineextending down yinto the well externally of the tubing, together with aplug or ball having a seat above the air inlet and 'a relatively closesliding t in said tubing, whereby the compressed air forces the ball tothe top of the tubing and the ball `in turn elevates a slug or volume ofliquid accumulated in the tubing above the seated ball; the ball fallingdown to its seat when the supply of compressed airis shut off.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved liquid liftingapparatus wherein the eduction tubing is allowed to free itself ofcompressed air after each lifting operation, whereby the tubing pressureis reduced to atmospheric` pressure after each operation and theapparatus is left free to build up the pressure without interferencefrom air left in said tubing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for cuttingoff the supply of compressed air, beyond the compressor tank, whereby ahigher pressuremay be built up in the cornpressor tank for kicking oli`the well, after an idle period.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lifting apparatus ofthe character described wherein means is provided between the inlet tothe tubing and the control valve, for trapping compressed air orpressureuid in the line be,

tween. said means and the inlet to the tubing, whereby a head ofpressure in the line is maintained between lifting periods and alsowhereby, the automatic valve is shut off from the line when iiuidpressure in said valve falls-below the iiuid pressure in said line, thuspreventing bleeding back of the compressed air from the line andspeeding up the closing action of the control valve..

Another very important object ofthe invention is to provide a Wellliquid lifting apparatus whereby a predetermined sizeable load or slugof liquid may be, not only lifted at a relatively high rate of speed,but with a comparatively low expenditure of lifting fluid, thusprovidinga highly desirable production of liquid from a well at a very low cost,as well as producing greatly increased quantities of liquid in a. givenoverall period of time, in comparison with apparatuses now in commonuse.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing,wherein an example of the invention is show'n, and wherein: A

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical View showing an apparatus constructed inaccordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view partly in elevation and partly in section,showing the upper end of the eduction tubing and the air supply line,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view partly in elevation and partly in section,showing the lower end of said tubing and air supply line,

Fig. 4 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the control valve,and

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a plug which may be y ple I4 and a bull-plugstrainer I5 is connected to the lower end of the nipple by a collar I6.An ordinary standing valve I1 which may be of any suitable constructionis mounted in the lower end f the nipple.

An air line I8 extends down the casing I0 ex- `teriorly of the tubing IIand has its lowerend screwed into the upper end of an inlet duct I9 inthe block I2, which is connected with the bore I3 by a lateral port 20.The air line I8 which is referred to in the well industry as a macaronistring is attached to the tubing by clamps 2|. Each clamp has a bore 22to snugly receive the tubing and a smaller bore 23 to snugly receive theline I8. These clamps may be attached to the tubing and air line by setscrews 24 as shown in Fig. 1. In order to facilitate assembling of thetubing and air lines, the sections of tubing are connected by collars 25engaging the underside of each clamp and the sections of the line I8 areconnected by collars 26 engaging the upper side of each clamp. Thisarrangement not only permits a ready connecting of the tubing and airline sections, but it serves to securely hold the clamps in position andto prevent their displacement. The uppermost clamp 2i rests upon asurface header 21 of suitable construction, whereby the tubing and airline are adequately supported in the well. A T 28 is screwed on to theupper end of the tubing and rests upon the upper clamp 2I, thus aidingin carrying the tubing load, c

The bore I3 of the coupling block I2 has a diameter less than theinternal diameter of the tubing II and is provided with a seat 29 at itsupper end to support a ball 30. This ball may be made of any suitablematerial, such as rubber, soft or hard plastic or metal, or acombination of the samt-i. If the material of which the ball is composedshould be too buoyant to properly sink in the column of liquid to theseat 29, it may be loaded with a suitable metal. The elevating membermay take the form of a ball, plug or piston. A plug as shown at 3| inFig. 5 may be used. This plug may be composed of soft plastic, such assynthetic rubber, and provided with washers 3| at each end connected bya bolt 30 and a nut 29'. If the plug wears, the nut may be tightened tocompress and expand the plug.

In order to prevent the ball 30 from closing the end of the pipe I8', apin 28 is inserted in the T 28 across the end of said pipe. A checkvalve is connected in the line I8 adjacent the valve 35 arranged toclose and prevent compressed air from the line Ill vflowing or bleedingback into the valve 35.l It is pointed out that the block I2 at thebottom of the tubing II is usually positioned a substantial distancebelow the standing level of the Water in the casing Ill; as anillustration or 50 feet, or more, The water will also rise toapproximately the same level in the tubing as in the casing, thus when lthe ball 3U is seated, there will be a column of water standing in thetubing above said ball. From the foregoing, it will be seen that becauseof the column of water or liquid standing above the tubing inlet 20, aliquid seal thereacross will be provided, although the port remains openfor the entrance of compressed air to the tubing. This seal coactingwith the check valve 35' provides means for trapping a head ofcompressed air in the line when the lifting operation is completed ornearly so. The height of the column ofliquid will of course control thepressure of the trapped air. A column of liquid standing in the usualwater Well tubing, approximately 40 feet above the inlet 20, will holdthe trapped air under substantially 20 pounds pressure per sq. in. Bythe time the liquid load being lifted leaves the tubing, the pressure ofthe compressed air enteringthe tubing will be greatly reduced andtherefore, the head of liquid standing in the casing I0 will flow intothe tubing through the standing valve I1 and rise in said tubing, thustrapping air in the line I8. Liquid will immediately begin to enter thetubing from the formation and raise the column of liquidin the tubing toits normal or working level.

The upper end of the valve 35 is connected by a back pressure pipe 36,with a T 31 connected in the discharge pipe 34, as is shown in Fig. l.An elbow 38 is connected with the lower end of the valve 35 and alsowith a cut-on valve 40, which in turn, is connected with one end o thecompressor tank 39 of an air compressor A; Any suitable air compressormay be used. A satisfactory type is shown generally in Fig. l andincludes the tank 39 with an air compressor 4I and a small gasolineengine 42, mounted thereon. The air compressor is driven by the enginein the usual manner. The tank also carries a pressure gage 42'. When thetype of compressor shown in Fig. 1 is used, the engine is operatedcontinuously, except when the well is shut down; however, a typeemploying starting and stopping means (not shown) could'be used, suchtypes being now in common use.

The control valve 35, which will be hereinafter described in detail, isconstructed so that when the pressure in the tank 39 reaches thepredetermined degree which for the purpose of illustration, may be lbs.to the square inch, the valve opens and supplies compressed air to theline I8 by Way of the lateral I8. The ccmpressed air after lling thepipe I8 iiows through the duct I9 and port 20 into the bore I3. In themeantime, the standing valve I1 has opened and permitted anaccumulationof water to enter through the nipple I4 and bore I3 and rise in thetubing, as hereinbefore described. The ball will temporarily be unseatedto permit the water to rise lup to its working level in the tubing I I,after which the ball will seat. When compressed air is admitted to thebore I3, it will force the ball 30 upwardly thus .elevating the watertrapped thereabove and carry it up the tubing I I into the T 28 in aslug. The ball 30 will be arrested by the plug 33, and kwill be retainedin the T 28 by the pin 28', while the water is being discharged throughthe pipe 34. It is obvious that the slug of water being substantiallysolid, channeling of the air therethrough will not occur.

A portion of the water, which is discharged into the pipe 34, will flowinto the back pressure pipe 36, act upon the valve 35, and inconjunction with the check Valve 35, sh'ut off the supply of compressedair to the line I8. When the oompressed air is shut off, the pressure inthe tubing II will be sufficiently reduced to permit the ball/39 to fallby gravity and come to rest on the seat 29.

While the particular construction of the valve 35 is subject tovariation, the valve shown in Fig. 4 has b een found to give verysatisfactory results. This valve includes an upright tubular casing 45provided with a bore 46 at its lower end, an intermediate enlarged bore41 and an upper bore 48. The lower end of the bore 48 is internallyscrew-threaded to receive the screw-threaded end of the casing. Apacking ring 56 is interposed between the header and the upper end ofthe casing. The header has an enlarged annular cup 51 at its upper endwhich' is externally threaded to receive the internally screw-threadedange 58 of a cap 59. which has a central screwthreaded boss 60 onitsupper side.

A exible diaphragm 6I is clamped around its marginal edge between thecup 51 and the cap 59 and a metal follower disk 62 may be suitablyfastened to the bottom of the diaphragm or may be held in contacttherewith by a coiled spring 65. A guide collar 64 depends from thecenter of the disk. The shank 54 of the header is provided with an axialwell 64 in which the coiled spring is supported. The upper end of thisspring surrounds the boss 63. A reduced guide sleeve 66 is made integralwith the lower end of the shank 54 and has a reduced bore 61 whichterminates in an enlarged bore 68 at the lower end of the sleeve whichin' turn, has a beveled seat 69 at its lower end.

An upright valve stem 10 extends through the elements 69, 68, 61, 66 andinto the collar 63 but terminates short of the top of the bore of saidcollar. The valve stem extends upwardly from an inclined valve shoulder1I formed on the upper end of a cylindrical valve body I2 having spacedannular collars or pistons 13 made integral therewith' and preferablymade integral with the valve body. An axial valve pin 15 depends fromthe lower piston and has its lower end beveled at 16 to engage in avalve seat 11 formed at the upper end of an axial duct 18 disposedvertically in the plug 50. Ihe pistons have a snug sliding fit in thebore 46 and are made of suicient height to form guides for the valvebody T2 and to maintain the same in an upright sliding position. Aplurality of vertical ports 19 are provided in the collars so as topermit the' compressed air to flow therethrough. The pin 'l5 is held on`the seat 11 by a coiled spring 80 surrounding the sleeve ,66 and thevalve body 12 and y confined between the upper portion 13 and the lowerend of the shank 54.

It will be observed that the spring 65 is under compression and act's tosupport the diaphragm in its normal horizontal position; while thespring 80 is also under compression and acts to force the pin 15 ontothe seat 11. The valve stem 1I) having,a loose sliding fit in the collar63, it is obvious that the diaphragm is movable independently f saidstem. An internally screw-threaded outlet boss 8| extending from thebore 41 receives the lateral I8', whereby compressed air supplied by thecompressor 39 is delivered to the line I8. It will also be observed thatthe reduced bore 61 has an internal diameter which is greater than theexternal diameter of the valve stem 10, whereby compressed air may passupwardly along the stem and escape into the header 53 which later isprovided with vent ports 82.

When the predetermined air pressure, as for illustration 100 lbs. persq. in., has ybeen built up in the compressor tank 39, the compressionof the spring 80 will be overcome because the air will act against thelower end of the pin 15, thus raising its inclined surface from the seat11, whereby compressed air will be discharged into the bore 4B and passupwardly through the ports 19 and to K the lateral I 8. i

Owing tothe area of the underside of the lower collar 13, which isexposed to the compressed air, the body 12 will be rapidly, in fact;almost instantaneously, lifted to cause the shoulder 1I to engage theseat 59, upon sufcient air entering the bore 56. This force will raiseand seat the body 'I2 with a snap or quick action. Because of the spacein the collar 63, above the stem l0, the shoulder 1I will engage theseat 69 without displacing the diaphragm 5I. The sealingof the valvebody 12 will prevent escape of air through the ports 82.

When the water or liquid is being discharged through the pipe 34, a backpressure will be built up against the top of the diaphragm 6I, throughthe pipe 36, which is comparatively small with relation to the pipe 34.It is apparent that by the time the ball 30 enters the T 28, the load orslug of liquid will have been discharged and the pressure of thecompressed air flowing into the lateral I8', as well as the air pressurein the tank 39, will be greatly reduced.

The upward movement of the body 12`compresses the spring 80,- so thatwhen the pressure in the valve casing 45 drops to a predetermined point,the back pressure acting upon the diaphragm will start the samedownwardly, thus breaking the contact or seal between the shoulder 1Iand seat 69, and thereby cracking the seal and releasing the air fromthe bore 41 to the ports 82. This movement, coupled with the expansiveforce of the compressed spring will quickly, and almost instantaneously,move the valve body downwardly a-nd engage the pin 15 with the seat 11to close lthe valve with asnap action. The snap seating of the shoulder1I and the pin 15 is very advantageous because the sudden impact keepsthe seating surfaces clean as well as maintaining tight seats. When thediaphragm is depressed, the spring 65 is compressed so that, as the backpressure drops, the spring raises said diaphragm Ito its horizontalposition.

The time elapse between the opening and closing of the valve 35 is, inmostI installations, very short, even less than a minute. The rate oftravel of the ball 30 up the tubing'is controlled by the clearancebetween the collar 13 and the wall of the bore 46, which clearance is,of course, subject to variation. This short operation period not onlymakes for rapid lifting of the load of liquid, but involves rapid actionof all elements, as well as an-economical expenditure of compressed air.The time lag between lifting cycles,

Y during which lag the Valve 35 remains closed, de-

pends upon the time required for the compressor A to build up thereduced pressure in the tank 39. Thus, if the pressure drop is 20 lbs.to the square inch, the time required to rebuild the pressure is lessthan if the drop was 30 lbs. per sq. in. Where the starting pressure islbs. `per sq. in., satisfactory operation has been carried out with adrop of 20 lbs. persq. in.

The check lvalve 35' is important because it the air pressure in thecontrolv valve 35, thus It is pointed out that when the ball 30 lclosing the check valve 35' and trapping air under pressure in the lineI8 and lateral Il. However, it may occur that the shoulder 1I will beunseated and air released from the valve 35 before the check valve 35'closes. In either event the check valve will close and air -underpressure will be trapped and not bled from the line.

It is obvious that when a well remains idle for many hours or days, theliquid will rise in the tubing to a height greater'than the workinglevel to which it rises during the lifting cycles, therefore, when it isdesired to again start lifting liquid, it will be necessary to kick offthe well and this will require a higher pressure than the workingpressure built up in the tank 38 during lifting cycles. For thispurpose, the cut-off valve 40 is provided. By closing this valve therequired kick-oil pressure may be accumulated in the tank, after whichthe valve 43 may be opened and regular operation automatically started.It is to be understood that the term ball used generically in thespecification and claims, is intended to cover a ball, plug or pistonand the like. Also, the term compressed air as used generlcally in thespecification and claims, is intended to cover any pressure fluidsuitable for the purpose. Further, the apparatus may be used in a wellhaving only a surface casing. Itis to be un derstood that the ball andthe plug 33 may be omitted, so that the slug of liquidwill be lifteddirectly by the compressed air.

It is to be understood that while a pop off v or working pressure of 100pounds per sq. in. may be built up in the storage tank 39, thecompressed air delivered to the pipes I8' and I8 may have a considerablylower pressure, as for instance 60 pounds per sq. in., or even lower.The amount of pressure which can be built up or maintained in the pipesI8 and I8 depends upon the height of the head of liquid standing in thetubing above the inlet 20, because when the pressure of the air exceedsthe hydrostatic weight of this liquid head, such head will start movingup the tubing. Thus, while a pressure of 100 pounds per sq. in. may becarried in the compressor tank 39, only a pressure of 60 pounds per sq.in. may be required to lift the liquid load.

When a well remains idle for several hours or days, the liquid in thetubing will rise to a higher level than it will when the well is beingoperated` at regular intervals; thus, there will be a maximum or staticlevel and a working level therebelow. It is obvious that a greaterpressure will be required to lift the liquid when it is at the maximumlevel because of the increased hydrostatic load. Thus, where a pressureof 60 pounds per sq. in. may be adequate to operate the well from theworking level, a pressure of 80 pounds per sq. in. may be required tolift the liquid load when the fluid" stands at the maximum level.However, as the operation of the well progresses, the level will drop atsuccessive lifting cycles and the pressure requirements will likewisedrop until` the working level and working pressure are reached. Thus itis necessary to build up a reserve pressure in the tank 39. A

Owing to the relatively large area of the diaphragm 6I and thecomparatively lesser areas of the surfaces being acted upon by thecompressed air, when the valve is open, such diaphragm is very sensitiveand will respond or yield tb low pressures. For instance, where thepressureof the air being supplied to the tubing may be approximately 60pounds per sq. in., the diaphragm will yield to a pressure ot pounds persq. in. Of course, as soon as the valve member I2 moves its shoulder 1Idownwardly from the seat 69, the pressure in the bore I6 will bereleased and the valve pin 15 will be snapped to its seat 11. The checkvalve 35' will close substantially simultaneously with the release ofpressure in the valve 35. This arrangement makes for a quick trapping ofthe compressed air in the pipes I8' and I8 and aids in limiting thepressure drop in said pipes.

It is pointed out that by the time the ball 3U falls to its seat 29, orsoon thereafter, all of the compreed air utilized in lifting said balland the slugI of liquid will have escaped into pipe 34 and consequentlythe pressure in the tubing I I, will reduce to atmospheric. This isimportant as no compressed air pressure is trapped in the tubing and itis only necessary to build up pressure in the string I8 to elevate theslug of liquid.

It will be noted that the string I8 is considerably less in diameterthan the eduction tubing II. This is'important because it makes forconservation in the expenditure of compressed air. Where eduction tubingis 2 inches, internal diameter, the pipe I 8 for many installations neednot be over 1/2 inch internal diameter, A small pipe is more readilyfilled with compressed air between the inlet 20 andthe control valve 35and consequently the loss of compressed air after each lifting operationis greatly reduced. Further, once the valve 35 is opened, the supply ofcompressed air quickly builds up in the small string I8, particularly ifair under pressure has been trapped therein between the check valve 35'and the liquid column in the tubing. Thus,

lthe lag between the opening of the compressed air supply and theinitial movement of the slug of liquid is reduced over where llarge airsupply pipes are used.

It is preferable to make the seat 29 so that it will not close off thepassage when the ball 30 rests thereon, which permits liquid to freelyflow upwardly when the ball is seated or arrested.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof andvarious changes in the size, shape and materials, as well asin thedetails of the illustrated construction may be made, Within the scope ofthe appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A liquid lifting apparatus including. an eduction tubing adapted tobe disposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level in 'saidwell and having ran inlet valve below said liquid level, means forsupplying compressed air to the tubing above the inlet valve and belowthe liquid level in the tubing to cut off a slug of liquid above thepoint of admission and elevate said plug to the top ofthe tubing anddischarge it therefrom,

and control means connected in said pressure fluid supply connected withthe top of the tubing 'and having pressure-responsive means for cuttingoil? the supply of pressure fluid responsive to a low pressure, andmeans adjacent the control means for trapping pressure fluid between thesupply means and the point of admission to the tubing.

2. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an

eduction tubing adapted to be disposed in a well with its lower lendbelow the liquid level in said well and having an inlet valve below saidliquid level, a pressure uid supply line of greatly less diameter thanthe diameter of the tubing conless than 10 75 nected directly into thetubing above the inlet valve and below the said-liquid level forsupplying pressure fluid to lift a slug of liquid,- whereby. said lineisquickly filled with pressure fluid and the supply of pressure fluid isconserved, lmeans at the top of the well responsive to af reduced fluidpressure for shutting off the supply oi' ypressure fluid to said -linewhen'the slug reaches the top of the tubing, and means for, trappingpressure fluid in the line after the supply thereto is cut oil.

3. A liquid lifting apparatus including, 'an' eductlon tubing adaptedtobe disposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level insaid well and'having an inlet valve below said liquid level, means forsupplying compressed tubing above the inlet valve and below leveltherein, a control valve connected air to the the liquid with supplymeans and having a uid pressure-responsive cut ofi' below its point ofconnection to said supply means and a vent above said connection, and aback pressure valve in said supply means adjacent said control valveadapted to shut off back flow of pressure fluid in said supplymeans whenthe vent of said control valve is open to trap pressure between thetubing and itself.

4. A liquid `lifting apparatus as Set forth in claim 3 with meansresponsive to pressure differentals forperiodically shutting off andsubsequently opening the supply of compressed air.

5. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an eductio-n tubing adapted tobe disposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level in saidwell and having an inlet valve below said liquid level, means forsupplying compressed air to the tubing above the inlet valve and belowthe liquid level in the'well to lift liquidand discharge the same Ifromthe tubing including a source for building up 'and supplying compressedair at a predetermined pressure, control means adapted to open andsupply compressed air when a predetermined pressure is built up atsaidsource and connected with the discharge end o'f the tubing andexposed to the discharge uld for operation thereby to shut off thesupply of compressed air to the tubing, and a movable member` separatefrom the inlet valve seated in the tubing between thecompressed airinlet and the liquid level therein adapted to be elevated by thecompressed air to lift the liquid accumulated thereabove and adapted tofall down the tubing to lts seat.

6.V A liquid lifting apparatus including, an eductlon tubing adapted tobe disposed vin a well with its lower end below the liquid level in saidwell and having an inlet valve below said liquid level, means forsupplying compressed air to the tubing above the inlet valve and belowthe liquid level in the well to lift liquid and discharge the same fromthe tubing including a sourceof compressed air supply for supplying saidair at a predetermined pressure and control means connected in thesupply means and connected with thedischarge end of the tubing adaptedto open when said predetermined pressure is built up and exposed to thedischarged fluid for operation thereby to shut oli the supply ofcompressed air to the tubing, and a movable member separate from theinlet valve seated in the tubing between ,the air inlet and the liquidlevel therein adapted tobe elevated by the compressed air to lift theliquid accumulated thereabove and adapted to fall down the tubing to itsseat.

7. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an eductlon tubing adapted tobe disposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level in saidwell and having an inlet valve at its lower end,

atravesy i tubingl adapted tobe disposed in a well with its l 4 in thecompressed below the liquid level in a discharge pipe leading from Atheupper end oi' the tubing, an air supply line extending loneltudinallyofthe tubln in the well and connected withthe tubing be well. means forsupplying compressed air to the. air line, a/control'valve connectedwith the air line and hayingmeans for supplying compressed air to theair line when opened means for conducting a portion of the iiuiddischarged from the well to the valve to close the same, and a movable ymember separate from'the inlet valve seated in the tubing between theair' inlet 'and the liquid level therein adapted to be elevated by thecompressed air to lift the liquid accumulated thereabove and to returndown the tubing toits seat.

8. A lifting apparatus including,l an eductlon lower end below theliquid level therein and having an inlet valvebelow said liquid levelfor accumulating a head of liquid in said tubing, means for supplyingcompressed airto the tubing and to said head of liquid to lift anddischarge said liquid from the tubing, control v'means connected airsupply means and exposed to the pressure of the discharged liquid forautomatically supplying and cutting ou the compressed air, said controlmeans being responsive to a pressure lower than the lifting pressureapplied to the head of liquid to shut ou the supply of compressed air,and means co-acting with the control means and separate therefrom fortrapping avolume of compressed air between said control means and theinlet to the tubing.

9. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an

eductlon tubing adapted to be disposed in a'well having liquid standingtherein with its lower end said well, a liquid inlet at the lower end ofthe tubing, a pressure-iluid line extending substantially parallel oithe tubing and having its lower end connected with the tubing normallyopen for discharging pressure uid into the tubing below the liquid levelin. said well and above the liquid inlet to lift liquid insaid tubing,lmeans above ground for supplying a pressure uid to said line, meansconnected to said line and with said supply means responsive to'matically starting and shutting ou the supply oi pressure. iluid to saidlinepand means for trapping ahead of pressure uld in said line betweenits inlet to the tubing and said automatic means.

` l0. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an eductlon tube adapted tobe disposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level in saidwell and having an inlet valv below said liquid level, means forsupplying compressed air to the tubing above the inlet valve and belowthe liquid level in the well to lift liquid and discharge' the same fromthe tubing including a source for building up and supplying compressedair at a predetermined pressure, control means'adapted to open andsupply compressed air when a predetermined pressure is built up at saidsource and connected with operation thereby to shut od the supply ofcompressed air to thef tubing, and means separate from the control meansfor trapping a head of compressed air in said supply means between thecontrol means and the tubing when `the load of liquid 'reaches the topof the tubing.

11. A liquid uiting apparatus including, an eductlon tubing adapted tobe disposed in a well'wlth its lower end below the liquid level owtheliquidilevel in the pressure dlerentials for autothegdischarge end ofthe tubing and exposed to the discharged iluld for pressed air thereinin said welli and having an inlet valve at its lower end, a dischargepipe leading from the upper end of the tubing, an air supply lineextending substantially parallel of the tubing in the well and connectedwith the tubing below the liquid level in the well, means for supplyingcompressed air to the air line, a control valve connected with the airline and having means for supplying compressed air to the air line whenopened, and means connected in said supply line for trapping compressedair therein.

I 12. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an

eduction Atubing adapted to be disposed in e. well with its lower endbelowv the liquid level in said well and having an inlet valve belowsaid liquid level, means for supplying compressed air to the tubingabove the inlet valve and below the liquid level in the well to liftliquid anddischarge the same from the tubing including a source ofcompressed air supply for supplying said air at a -predeterminedpressure and control means connected in the supply means and connectedwith the discharge end oi the tubing adapted to open when saidpredetermined pressure is built up and eX- posed to the discharged iluidfor operation thereby toshut oi! the supply of compressed air to thetubing, and means connected in the air supply for trapping compressedair therein when said movable member reaches the top of the tubinl 13. Aliquid lifting apparatus including, an eduction tubing adapted to bedisposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level in saidwell and having an inlet valve at the lower end, a discharge pipeleading from the upper end of the tubing, an air supply line extendingsub` stantially parallel of the tubing in the well and connected withthe tubing below the liquid level in the well, means for supplyingcompressed air to the air line, a control' valve connected with the airline for controlling the supply of compressed ai to the air line whenopened, and a check valve in the airline for'trapping comwhen thecontrol valve is closed.

14. A well liquid lifting apparatus including,

sn educuon tubing adapted to be disposed in a.

well having liquid standing therein, a liquid inlet at the lower end ofthe tubing, an air line 1 extending substantially parallel of the tubinghaving a normally openV inlet to the tubing at its lower end below theliquid level of the well for supplying compressed air to the tubing toelevate liquid to the top thereof, the -liquid inlet admitting liquid tothe tubing, whereby liquid rises in the tubing above the open inletofthe air line, meansl for supplying compressed air' to the air line,control means connected with said compressed air supply also connectedwith the upper end of the tubing for automatically starting and shuttingoil the supply of compressed air to the line, and means separate fromthe control means connected in the line adjacent the control means andcoacting with the liquid accumulated in the tubing for trappingcompressed air in said line between the control means and the open inletto the tubing.

15. A well liquid eduction tubing having a nected to its lower end foradmitting liquid directly from a well source tothe tubing and a seat inthe tubing above the inlet valve, said tubing being continuous from thewell inlet valve to the seat and above said seat, said tubing having acompressed air inlet therein. between the valve and the seat, meansseparate from the tubing for conducting compressed air downwardly of thetubing directly to the air inlet of said tubing, and a liquid liftingball normally resting upon said seat and adapted to be lifted by liquidinlet valve conthe compressed air to the top oi the tubing to REFERENCEScrrnp The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 583,837 Bechtol June 1, 18971,224,068 Chason Apr. 24, 191'? 1,334,638 Tucker Mar. 23, 1920 1,846,001Fletcher Feb. 16, 1932 1,932,497 Wellensick Oct. 31, 1933 2,296,833Boynton Sept. 29, 1942 681,216 Gray Aug. 27, 1901 means and said lineand l lifting apparatus including an

